DU professor's termination row: Teachers association seek President Murmu's help

The Federation of Central Universities Teachers' Associations has urged President Droupadi Murmu to intervene in the termination of Delhi University professor Saripalli V Ravikiran. It has alleged that the university bypassed service rules and penalised him over his academic views.

In Short

• Association invokes Section 7-A (7) of the Delhi University Act
• Ravikiran's two-year probation allegedly ended before the discharge order was issued
• Contested course materials covered Ambedkar, caste, feminism and Brahmanical texts

The Federation of Central Universities Teachers’ Associations (FEDCUTA) has approached President Droupadi Murmu over the termination of a Delhi University professor, alleging that the university’s action was illegal and an attempt to penalise him for his academic views.

In a letter dated November 10, the association sought the President’s intervention in the discharge of Dr Saripalli V Ravikiran, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the university’s Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE).

It urged her, as Visitor of all Central Universities, to use her powers under Section 7-A (7) of the Delhi University Act, 1922, to annul the proceedings.

A TERMINATION THAT TEACHERS SAY BREAKS THE RULES

Ravikiran joined the university on February 29, 2024. An office order dated October 30, 2026, discharged him from service with immediate effect, citing unsatisfactory performance and his work and conduct during probation.

FEDCUTA, however, has questioned the legality of the decision. It argued that the maximum permissible probation period of two years ended on February 28, 2026. It also claimed that the extension of his probation, issued on February 7, 2025, was invalid because it was not communicated at least one month before the first year ended.

According to the association, the CDOE Governing Body was therefore required to confirm his services before issuing the discharge order.

THE STUDY MATERIAL THAT TRIGGERED THE ROW

The dispute centres on self-learning materials prepared and reviewed by Ravikiran for BA Political Science students, particularly the units Understanding Ambedkar and Understanding Political Theory.

An enquiry committee examined the material and, in a report dated February 17, 2026, reportedly found him negligent in preparing the content. Objections included references to beef consumption in discussions on untouchability and caste, citations from the Manusmriti and Apastamba Dharmasutra, and the inclusion of Sharmila Rege’s Against the Madness of Manu.

The material also faced criticism over descriptions of women in Hindi content, references to Ambedkar and feminism, alleged factual inaccuracies, AI-content and similarity scores, and submissions that were said to exceed the syllabus or miss deadlines.

An external review had earlier recommended rewriting the Ambedkar-related material. A show-cause notice proposing a major penalty was issued to Ravikiran in April 2026.

Ravikiran has denied the allegations. He has attributed the issues to procedural shortcomings, excessive workload and inadequate editorial support, while also raising concerns about pre-existing Hindi translations. He has defended the academic relevance of including Ambedkar’s critique of Brahmanical texts and related scholarship.

FEDCUTA CALLS IT A CASE OF ‘ACADEMIC POLICING’

In its letter, FEDCUTA alleged that the university used the probationary discharge provision as a “masquerade” to conceal what it described as the persecution of a faculty member for expressing an academic opinion that the CDOE administration did not favour.

The association also questioned why the discharge order did not refer to the misconduct allegations, enquiry proceedings, show-cause notice or Ravikiran’s response. Instead, the order invoked provisions dealing with the discharge of probationary employees and prior approval of the Vice-Chancellor.

It questioned Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh’s approval of the decision, alleging that he had failed to ensure compliance with the university’s Act, Statutes and Ordinances. The discharge order cited Clause 7(9) of Ordinance XVIII and Point 7 of the Form of Agreement of Service of College Teachers. It was recommended by the CDOE Governing Body and approved by the Vice-Chancellor.

FEDCUTA said the matter went beyond an individual employment dispute, warning that such action could undermine academic freedom and allow universities to penalise teachers for their academic positions.

The letter was signed by FEDCUTA President Syed Akhtar Husain and Secretary Bimlendu Tirthunker.

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